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Christchurch City Council. Municipal Electricity Department. (1920-1989)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1920 - 1989

Parallel Names

  • MED

Biography

In 1903 the Christchurch City Council established a small scale public supply of electricity. In subsequent years other local councils established similar departments. The Electricity Department was restructured in 1920 and was renamed the Municipal Electricity Department in 1922.The Municipal Electricity Department took over the responsibility for the distribution of electricity to Waimairi County in 1946.

On 1 February 1989, the new company, Southpower, was officially formed by the amalgamation of the Christchurch Municipal Electricity Board and the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board. With the addition of the Port Hills Energy Authority and then Riccarton Electricity in November, it became the second largest supply authority for electricity in New Zealand.

Southpower was both a lines company and a retailer of electricity. Following government reform of the sector, in 1998 Southpower sold its retail activities and retained its network activities. In December 1998 the company was renamed Orion New Zealand Limited.

Orion New Zealand is a community owned entity with two key shareholders - the Christchurch City Council, through its subsidiary Christchurch City Holdings Ltd (89.3%) and the Selwyn District Council (10.7%).

Found in 124 Collections and/or Records:

MED Staff Photograph, 1983

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/33
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - BW MED staff photograph 1983

Dates: 1983

MED Staff Photograph, 1934

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5
Scope and Contents

Very large, framed, outsize staff print, 1934, black and white

Dates: 1934

MED Staff Photograph, 1934

 Item
Identifier: Arch1050/6/1
Scope and Contents

Unframed, outsized MED staff photo, 1934

Dates: 1934

MED Staff Photograph, 1939

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/6/4
Scope and Contents

MED staff photo, 1939, black and white, unframed.

Dates: 1939

MED Staff Photographs, 1920 - 1957

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/6/6
Scope and Contents

M.E.D unframed prints, including a colour print Sun Electric tune up, BW print Staff photograph 1930s, BW print Staff photograph no date, BW print - Portrait of unidentified man, BW print staff photograph 1957

Dates: 1920 - 1957

Members of the New Zealand Gas Companies Association, Wellington., 1934-09-27

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/4
Scope and Contents

Framed photograph - New Zealand Gas Companies Association Wellington, 27th September 1934 Back row - M.Healy, F.W.J Belton, E.Rabbidge, F.J.Kennedy, F.M Kennedy, M.J Kennedy, H.Batten, A.R Meek, L.Pickering, J.T Hungerford, H.Rands Front tow - J.P Newman, A.Morrie Taylor, A.L Warburton, Dr C Prendergast Knight, W.E Rogers, Gerald Fitzgerald, James Lowe

Dates: 1934-09-27

Microfiche

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/1/37
Scope and Contents

2 x microfiche

Dates: Majority of material found within 1920 - 1980

Minutes, 1988

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/3/1
Scope and Contents

Minutes dated 16/11/1988 of the Electrical Substation Subcommittee held at Ferrymead related to Opening of Ferrymead Historic Park

Dates: 1988

Mr Barrett, Portrait, 1920 - 1960

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/18
Scope and Contents

Framed MED staff photograph - bw portrait of Mr Barrett

Dates: 1920 - 1960

Mr J Crombie Scott, Portrait, 1920 - 1960

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1050/5/16
Scope and Contents

Framed MED staff photograph - BW portrait of Mr J Crombie Scott

Dates: 1920 - 1960